10 Best Snorkeling Sunscreens In 2019

A snorkel sunscreen that is suitable requires different features than your average sunscreen. When you are floating on the water you get not only the rays of the hot sun beating down on your, but also the reflection. The sun bounces off the water to provide even more sun exposure. This leads to the dangers of you getting burnt double as fast. To combat this you need the best sunscreen for snorkeling.

As you are going into the ocean and swimming close up to many coral reefs and fish, it is important to get a chemical free, biodegradable sunscreen. Many snorkel sunscreens contain chemicals that are not only harmful to your skin but can be toxic to sea life. It is important to ensure that you are getting a high quality, safe sunscreen.

There are many features to look for when deciding the best choice for you as well as many options on the market. To help you navigate your way through, we have created a list of the best snorkeling sunscreens on today’s market.

Thinksport SPF 50+ Sunscreen

If you have fair skin or burn easily, then this sunscreen will keep you protected. When you apply it, you will notice that it leaves a slight white residue on your skin, but massage it in, and that will soon disappear. Once it has covered your skin, you have protection from the harshest rays of the sun. You also have 80 minutes of time in the water. This also means that you will have protection from your own sweat. Often, sunscreen will come off when you begin to sweat, but this sunscreen will not.

Once you are in the ocean, the sunscreen will gradually come off your body. Being biodegradable, this sunscreen will not be harmful to the ocean which you swim in. You can have the peace of mind that you are disturbing the underwater world as little as is possible.

What Makes This Snorkeling Sunscreen Stand Out

SPF 50+

No harmful chemicals

80-minute water resistance

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EDITORS CHOICE

Blue Lizard SPF 30+ Sunscreen

Blue Lizard sunscreen will last you for up to 40 minutes under the water. The sunscreen is water-resistant so some of the sunscreen will come off in the water, but a lot less than regular sunscreen. You also have 40 minutes, which is a long time for your snorkeling adventure. You can always re-apply the sunscreen and go back in.

This sunscreen has no skin-irritating parabens or fragrances. You do not need any of those when you are under the water. Many sunscreens are designed to be absorbed into your skin and then soak up the harmful UV rays only after they have entered your skin. This sunscreen acts as a mirror on your skin. The UV rays are reflected away from your skin before they can be absorbed. You have an SPF of 30, which means that it takes 30-times longer for the UV rays to burn your skin than it would without any sunscreen.

We love the extra safety feature on this bottle. When there are harmful UV rays coming down, then the bottle will change color to warn you.

What Makes This Snorkeling Sunscreen Stand Out

SPF 30+

Non-irritating

Water-resistant

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BEST VALUE

TotLogic Natural Sunscreen

This is a great sunscreen for your kids. The cream has been formulated to be hypoallergenic, meaning that it can sit on the most sensitive skin without irritation. It is non-toxic, reef safe, and eco-friendly, meaning that you do not have to worry about it doing any damage to the ocean. It is also safe for kids and tear-free. The cream is water-resistant, which means that you will not have to worry about your kids sweating, but the tear-free formula means that it will also not sting the eyes if a little gets too close. You can use this cream for anyone over 6-months old.

The mineral-based formula is gentle and infused with antioxidants and botanicals. Not only will it protect you from the sun, but it will make your skin look and feel great while doing so.

What Makes This Snorkeling Sunscreen Stand Out

Biodegradable

Hypoallergenic

Tear-free

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Raw Elements Natural Sunscreen

This sunscreen is perfect for people with sensitive skin and also great for those who have an eye on where the ingredients come from. The ingredients in this sunscreen are all natural. They are soy, gluten, and nut-free. The ingredients are also 95% organic. This sunscreen is made for such high-quality ingredients that it is almost good enough to eat (though we recommend that you so not eat it). This sunscreen is versatile enough to be equally as effective for your face and your body, and children can use it too. It even doubles as a skin moisturizer.

The sunscreen is completely biodegradable and reef safe. There are no chemicals to worry about. You can continue your underwater adventure without worrying about what you are leaving behind. The team behind this product are committed to creating a better world and having a positive impact on the environment. They are one of the companies who is leading the change when it comes to reef-safe products.

What Makes This Snorkeling Sunscreen Stand Out

95% organic

100% natural

Water-resistant

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SPF 45 Biodegradable Sunscreen Lotion by Reef safe

Reef Safe have created a sunscreen that is safe for fish as well as the coral. Their sunscreen is fragrance free and biodegradable in oceans, lakes and rivers meaning you can take this with you wherever you plan on being in the sun.Like some other sunscreens this is water resistant and can last up to 80 minutes in water. The SPF rating of 45+ is one of the highest which gives you the confidence to stay in the sun without fearing a sunburn. A fragrance free formula allows this to be an excellent option for those with skin sensitivities.This biodegradable sunscreen not only blocks the UVB rays that provide the sunburn. It also provides protection from UVA rays that harm without visibility. This works to help keep you incredibly safe.

What Makes This Snorkeling Sunscreen Stand Out

Biodegradable in water

High SPF rating

Fragrance free

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SPF 30 Biodegradable Sunscreen by Stream2Sea

Stream2Sea has made one of the best sunscreens available today. It features a non-greasy solution that has been designed for fast absorbing. This means it is super easy to apply and won’t wash away once you enter the water. In fact, this sunscreen has been designed so it won’t run into, and irritate, your eyes.

Since this sunscreen is made from minerals it goes on white which adds even more protection from the elements. The SPF 30 rating is also excellent for protecting your skin from the sun. This is done by using ingredients like green tea, tulsi, wakame and olive leaf. All of these add a layer of protection to your skin while moisturizing it at the same time.

This sunscreen is also safe for marine life and coral due to its natural ingredients. You can rest assured that this sunscreen will protect you from the sun while making your skin feel great.

What Makes This Snorkeling Sunscreen Stand Out

Biodegradable and reef safe

Organic and fast absorbing

Provides UVA and UVB protection

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SPF 50 Anti-Jellyfish Sting Protective Sunscreen Sunscreen by Safe

This is one of the only snorkel sunscreens that come with an anti jellyfish sting inhibitor. This is a great option for people swimming in areas with lots of jellyfish or for waters where it is too warm to wear a skinsuit. It has been proven effective by scientists in a lab and snorkelers in the ocean alike. What makes this even better is that it is a biodegradable coral reef safe sunscreen. This means that you can wear it when snorkeling even the most sensitive reefs.

Safe Sea has created a high SPF rated (50) sunscreen which is excellent for those more susceptible to burns. It is dermatologically tested to be hypoallergenic which means that it is a great option for virtually any skin type. This means people with even the most sensitive skin can wear this in the water without worrying about their skin. Not only this, but it is water resistant. You can spend up to 80 minutes in the water before you have to add another coat which is the highest rating.

What Makes This Snorkeling Sunscreen Stand Out

High SPF rating

Lasts up to 80 minutes in water

Anti-jellyfish ingredient

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OUR TOP PICK

SPF 30 Reef Safe Natural Snorkel Sunscreen by Tropical Sands

This is one of the best biodegradable sunscreens on the market. Instead of harmful chemicals that other manufacturers use, Tropical Sands have developed a snorkeling sunscreen that uses green tea. Not only is this a natural and organic solution but also an antioxidant. It will make your skin feel great and even look better than before.

This snorkeling sunscreen has an SPF rating of 30 which means it will protect your skin from the UV rays from the sun. You don’t have to worry about skin irritation as this is a 100% all natural formula. Tropical Sands has created a hypoallergenic formula that doesn’t include harsh chemicals or nanoparticles.

The Reef Safe Natural Sunscreen is amazing for snorkeling. There is no chemical fragrances or chemical preservatives or emulsifiers which have been proven to be hard on reef environments.

What Makes This Snorkeling Sunscreen Stand Out

Biodegradable

No harmful chemicals

Easy application

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SPF 30 All Natural Biodegradable Sunscreen by Coral Safe

Coral Safe have created one of the top rated snorkeling sunscreens on the market. This formula is 100% all natural and is even safe for kids. The sunscreen is made without harsh chemicals and nanoparticles which make it non-allergenic.

This All Natural Biodegradable Sunscreen is also coral friendly. It does this by not including chemical fragrances or chemical preservatives which allow it to fully biodegrade in water. In fact, one of the active ingredients is green tea which also acts as an antioxidant.

The SPF rating of 30 means you can spend time in the sun without getting burned.

What Makes This Snorkeling Sunscreen Stand Out

100% natural ingredients

Safe for kids

Coral safe approved

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Goddess Garden Water-Resistant Sunscreen

This sunscreen makes use of minerals at the expense of chemicals. The natural minerals help to reflect the UV rays as they hit your skin. When you run the minerals into your skin, they give a sheer look without being absorbed into your skin. This is better for your skin and better for the environment. The minerals are safe, even for the most sensitive skin. Gone are the harmful chemicals which can be detrimental to people and sea-life.

This sunscreen has been certified organic, is reef safe, and is completely vegan. The sunscreen uses non-nano zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to block out the UV rays. The sunscreen is completely biodegradable so it will break down before there is any chance of it blocking up a coral reef or becoming harmful to fish.

When you are in the water, you will have a full 80 minutes of swim time. This is a great lotion for any water sports and any above-water sports. Your sweat will not affect the application, so you can also use it for surfing or hiking.

What Makes This Snorkeling Sunscreen Stand Out

Vegan

For sensitive skin

80-minute water-resistance

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How To Choose A Snorkeling Sunscreen – Buying Guide

There are many aspects of snorkeling sunscreen that people take for granted. Understanding each feature can help you get the right sunscreen for you and your family.

SPF Strength

The whole reason you are using a snorkeling sunscreen is to keep from getting burnt. Having a sunscreen with a suitable SPF will do just that. The strength you choose largely depends on your skin type and your susceptibility to burns. Typically you will find snorkeling sunscreens around 30 SPF.

Using an SPF greater than 30 doesn’t block as much sun as you may think. In fact, SPF 50 (98%) only blocks 1% more rays than SPF 30 (97%). SPF 100 blocks up to 99% of rays making it one of the best options for those with incredibly fair skin.

It is important to keep in mind that SPF only blocks UVB rays. These are the ones that cause burns. It doesn’t, however, block UVA rays, the rays that cause invisible damage. Some broad spectrum sunscreens block against both so it is important to look for a sunscreen with both UVA and UVB protection.

Water Resistance

You may be thinking you need to go with a snorkeling sunscreen that is waterproof instead of water resistant. US companies are no longer aloud to claim any sunscreen to be waterproof. That is why it is important to look for a snorkeling sunscreen that is water resistant. You may not know that these products are only water resistant for a certain amount of time. The FDA only allows a company to claim water resistant for up to 80 minutes. This is the type of sunscreen you will want to look for.

Reapplication

When first applying your snorkel sunscreen it is important to let it dry for at least 15 minutes before hitting the water. Otherwise, you risk the sunscreen washing off the moment you hit the water. You will also have to reapply your snrokel sunscreen at least every two hours to maintain constant protection.

It is important to fully understand the proper application techniques when applying your sunscreen. Pay attention to what you do after you apply your sunscreen. Sitting on a seat can rub the sunscreen off you, laying on a towel does the same. It is often best to apply snorkel sunscreen to one side of you, wait the 10-15 minutes and then flip to the other and apply.

When snorkeling in the water, we recommend paying attention to any sunscreen you apply to your face. This can often lead to your mask not sealing properly and you having a far less enjoyable time snorkeling.

Reef Friendly

As you are going to be swimming with sensitive coral reefs and many fish and animals, it is important to take into account getting a natural reef safe snorkeling sunscreen. Lots of major brands use chemicals like Oxybenzone, a chemical that is known to be toxic to fish and coral.

Many snorkeling sunscreens now come in chemical free options that are approved to be gentle on the reef, and on your skin.

It is important to note that just because a sunscreen is biodegradable, does not mean it is chemical free. Many toxic chemicals, such as Oxybenzone, are biodegradable. In fact, some chemicals are fine for you until they biodegrade and are then toxic to marine life.

FAQs

Q: What is Reef Safe Sunscreen?

A: When you go snorkeling, you need to think about the sunscreen which you wear in the water. Regular sunscreen is fine on dry land as it is only on your body, but you need to think about the life in the water when you are snorkeling or scuba diving. Regular sunscreens can be harmful to the creatures under the water, and to reefs too. Some sunscreens are better than others, but dedicated snorkeling and scuba sunscreens are the best. They are specially formulated to be safer for underwater use. Here are some things to look out for when you are choosing your sunscreen.

To ensure that you have a sunscreen which is best for the life underwater, you should look for non-nano zinc oxide. The ingredients which you want to avoid are oxybenzone and octinoxate. These ingredients can be harmful to coral reefs. Look for packaging which states that the sunscreen is oxybenzone free. You should also avoid butylparaben, PABA, octocryene, and 4-methylbenzylidene camphor. Look for sunscreen which is paraben free.

When you are looking at sunscreens, you should always try to choose water-resistant sunscreens. The fewer chemicals which can wash off of your skin in the water, the better. The best thing to look for is a reef or coral-friendly sunscreen. If you are ever in doubt, then you can find a recipe online to make your own reef-safe sunscreen. No sunscreen is 100% safe for the reefs underwater, but you can take steps to limit your presence under the water.

Q: What Makes Sunscreens Biodegradable?

A: We love to recycle. After we are done with our sunscreen, we like to recycle the bottle, but when we talk about biodegradable sunscreen, we are talking about the sunscreen itself. Many sunscreens contain synthetic ingredients which will not break down over time. When sunscreen is absorbed into the water, or into anything, the ingredients cannot break down. When you are buying a sunscreen, you should look for organic ingredients which will break down in water or soil.

Instead of using classic synthetic chemicals, many companies are now turning to aloe vera, green tea, seaweed, and olive leaf as alternatives. If your sunscreen is made from organic material, then it can break down in the water without having the chance to damage the life under the water. The more organic matter, the quicker the sunscreen can biodegrade. If you want to protect the oceans, then you can find a sunscreen with those ingredients or make your own.

Q: Why Do Sunscreens Damage Coral Reefs?

A: Many of the ingredients (see the next section) in sunscreens are not soluble in water. Many of them are effective in blocking UV rays, but they are not safe for ingestion. This is fine for us, but when we wear sunscreen and go into the water, the sunscreen will mix with the water, and all of the chemicals will be floating around. For the life in the oceans, this can be extremely detrimental. It has also been found that the ingredients in sunscreen can react with salt water to produce adverse effects.

There are many ingredients in modern sunscreen which can cause the death of plankton. When the chemicals mix with the water, then the production of hydrogen peroxide is increased which hastens the death of plankton under the water. The thing about plankton is that it is part of a bigger food chain. Small marine animals eat plankton, and, in turn, larger animals eat those small animals. As plankton dies out, small animals die, and then larger animals die. Plankton is also one of the main foods for corals and reefs.

Many of the ingredients in sunscreen are also included as nano-particles. The size of the particles are very small, but they also clump. When they do, they can clog up the pores in a coral reef. This kills off the symbiotic plankton in a reef. The plankton is cut off from sunlight, which it needs to grow, and a food source. This means that the coral receives less nourishment too. The coral reef will slowly turn white when this happens, and when a coral turns white, it is starting to die.

When we use sunscreen during a dive, we should be aware that we are not wearing ingredients which can kill a coral reef. The same is true when we are swimming in any parts of an ocean, even at the beach. With the number of people who swim in the ocean each day, there is a lot of sunscreen which is being washed off and into the ocean. This is damaging the coral reefs all around the world.

Q: What Are Common Ingredients Of A Sunscreen?

A: How many times have we actually picked up a bottle of sunscreen and checked the ingredients on the back? How many of us actually know what is in a bottle of sunscreen? The thing we pay attention to is the SPF number on the front, but what are the ingredients which provide us with that sun protection?

Oxybenzone is a common ingredient and is also found in other beauty products. This organic compound helps to block the UV rays when they hit our skin. While this compound is used extensively in sunscreen, it is also a common ingredient in manufacturing plastics.

Titanium oxide is also great for blocking UV rays. Great for protecting skin, and great for protecting your house, which is why it is commonly used in paint. Zinc oxide, which is commonly used in its nano form, is also very efficient in blocking the sun’s rays, but it is not soluble in water. You will often find zinc oxide in sunglasses.

Q: Why Do I Need A Special Snorkeling Sunscreen?

A:When you are snorkeling, you are under the water for a long period of time. The longer you are under the water, the more sunscreen is going to be absorbed into the water (even water-resistant sunscreen will come off your body). If your sunscreen is filled with chemicals, then it is going to negatively affect the life in the oceans. This is especially true for the coral reefs. If you wear a sunscreen which has been designed specifically for snorkeling, then you will be protecting the life which you are swimming with. Snorkeling sunscreen is made from more organic materials and materials which will not harm the coral reefs.

Globo Surf Overview

Choosing the best snorkeling sunscreen for your next snorkel trip can be overwhelming. With so many chemical sunscreens on the market, it can be difficult to find one that is safe for you and the sea life. When snorkeling, it is important to look for a sunscreen safe for coral reefs. All of the snorkeling sunscreens on our list provide the best sun protection while being safe for both you and the coral. These snorkel sunscreens are built to withstand the harsh sun conditions of snorkeling on the water. Being adequately water resistant while also providing a sufficient SPF, these snorkeling sunscreens work to ensure that you have the best day on the water that you can.

For even more protection from the sun’s harmful rays, it is worth investing in a quality beach umbrella for when you are out of the water. This will work to give your body a break from the sun when you aren’t snorkeling.

My name is David Hamburg. I am an avid water sports fan who enjoys paddle boarding, surfing, scuba diving, and kite surfing. Anything with a board or chance I can get in the water I love! I am such a big fan I decided to start this website to review all my favorite products and some others. Hope you enjoy!

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